Vandebilt athletic director accused of drunken driving

Laury Dupont resigned following Thursday arrest.

Published: Sunday, September 1, 2013 at 5:03 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, September 2, 2013 at 1:07 a.m.

A Vandebilt Catholic High School employee has resigned following his Thursday arrest on a charge of driving while intoxicated, Thibodaux Police said.

Charles “Laury” Dupont, 62, 1202 Park Drive in Thibodaux, was pulled over on Plantation Drive near Badt Avenue about 11 p.m. after a patrolling officer saw that his license plate was not illuminated as required by law. The officer, who suspected after talking with him that Dupont had been drinking, administered a field sobriety test.

Dupont failed the test, police said, and registered a .194 on a subsequent breath-alcohol test, or more than double the legal limit. The legal limit for drivers in Louisiana is .08.

He was booked at the Lafourche Parish jail and released, according to police records.

Dupont, a Vandebilt employee, was named the school's athletic director in 2009. He resigned his position on Friday, a Houma-Thibodaux Diocese spokesman confirmed on Sunday.

Dupont could not be reached for comment.

The spokesman said Dupont made the decision for personal issues. He declined further comment, citing the school's personnel privacy policies.

Vandebilt Principal James Reiss will serve as interim athletic director until a permanent replacement is picked.

In football, Dupont enjoyed success as a player and coach.

As a student athlete at E.D. White Catholic High in Thibodaux, Dupont was a five-sport athlete — football, basketball, golf, track and baseball. He helped lead the Cardinals to their first state football championship in 1968, earning all-state honors as a quarterback. After graduating from E.D. White Catholic High in Thibodaux in 1968, Dupont attended Nicholls State University on a football and golf scholarship.

As a member of the state's prestigious 200-win coaching club, Dupont had 228 victories and three state championships (all at West St. John) in 38 seasons. He had coaching stints at Thibodaux High, E.D. White, West St. John and Vandebilt.

Dupont was Vandebilt's head football coach from 2009-11. In three seasons at Vandebilt, Dupont had a 20-14 overall record with two Class 4A first-round playoff wins in 2009 and 2010.

He stepped down as the school's football coach after the 2011 season to focus on his duties as athletic director.

<p>A Vandebilt Catholic High School employee has resigned following his Thursday arrest on a charge of driving while intoxicated, Thibodaux Police said.</p><p>Charles “Laury” Dupont, 62, 1202 Park Drive in Thibodaux, was pulled over on Plantation Drive near Badt Avenue about 11 p.m. after a patrolling officer saw that his license plate was not illuminated as required by law. The officer, who suspected after talking with him that Dupont had been drinking, administered a field sobriety test.</p><p>Dupont failed the test, police said, and registered a .194 on a subsequent breath-alcohol test, or more than double the legal limit. The legal limit for drivers in Louisiana is .08.</p><p>He was booked at the Lafourche Parish jail and released, according to police records.</p><p>Dupont, a Vandebilt employee, was named the school's athletic director in 2009. He resigned his position on Friday, a Houma-Thibodaux Diocese spokesman confirmed on Sunday.</p><p>Dupont could not be reached for comment.</p><p>The spokesman said Dupont made the decision for personal issues. He declined further comment, citing the school's personnel privacy policies.</p><p>Vandebilt Principal James Reiss will serve as interim athletic director until a permanent replacement is picked. </p><p>In football, Dupont enjoyed success as a player and coach.</p><p>As a student athlete at E.D. White Catholic High in Thibodaux, Dupont was a five-sport athlete — football, basketball, golf, track and baseball. He helped lead the Cardinals to their first state football championship in 1968, earning all-state honors as a quarterback. After graduating from E.D. White Catholic High in Thibodaux in 1968, Dupont attended Nicholls State University on a football and golf scholarship.</p><p>As a member of the state's prestigious 200-win coaching club, Dupont had 228 victories and three state championships (all at West St. John) in 38 seasons. He had coaching stints at Thibodaux High, E.D. White, West St. John and Vandebilt.</p><p>Dupont was Vandebilt's head football coach from 2009-11. In three seasons at Vandebilt, Dupont had a 20-14 overall record with two Class 4A first-round playoff wins in 2009 and 2010. </p><p>He stepped down as the school's football coach after the 2011 season to focus on his duties as athletic director. </p><p> </p><p>Staff Writer Jean-Paul Arguello contributed to this report.</p>